Author: 易修罗 / Yi Xiu Luo

Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/

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Chapter 13

Two masters were about to duel, instantly capturing the attention of the entire class. Those who were practicing before consciously made way, leaving only Ling Xiao and Ying Feng alone in the arena. They stood casually, but their eyes were constantly locked on each other, always ready to move.

Everyone was focused on the match, but some had their attention misplaced. Zhu Yue’s gaze towards Ling Xiao was dark and resentful. How he longed for all of Ying Feng’s attention, but someone else had easily captured it. Moreover, that person had previously shielded him from a blade at a critical moment.

“I bet Ling Xiao will make the first move.” A voice reached Zhu Yue’s ears. He turned his head and saw it was Lan Sheng, who was closest to Ling Xiao in class.

Beside Lan Sheng, Ping Zong smiled knowingly. “Then you’re sure to win. No matter the situation, Ling Xiao always makes the first move. He’s not a patient person.”

As if to prove their words, in a split second, both of them launched attacks simultaneously. However, only those with the keenest observation could see that Ling Xiao took the initiative. Being proactive was always his style of combat. Ying Feng’s exceptional reaction speed was also evident. If not for that, how could he, even when reacting second, match Ling Xiao’s speed?

In a flash, the two fought multiple rounds at the center of the arena. Their rapid movements left only afterimages, making it hard for the onlookers to keep up. Ling Xiao’s moves were typically flamboyant, with strikes coming from all directions, which was a feast for the eyes.

In comparison, Ying Feng’s observation and response capabilities were superior. No matter how fast or complex Ling Xiao’s moves were, Ying Feng could instantly find his weak points and attack. This often forced Ling Xiao to alter his strategy mid-move. Yet, even then, Ling Xiao would transition smoothly, leaving no opening for onlookers to notice.

The two moved from the center of the arena to the edges and back again. The entire training room became their battleground. Their blows were fierce and intense, more of a real combat exercise than a simple spar. If not for the special materials of the training room, it might have been destroyed.

During one of their exchanges, Ling Xiao jumped onto the wall to dodge Ying Feng’s assault. This position allowed him to push off the wall and return with greater momentum, at a speed almost impossible for an average person to evade—except for Ying Feng.

Ying Feng had accurately anticipated Ling Xiao’s trajectory and had a response plan in mind. However, in a split second, he felt numbness spread throughout his body, making it unresponsive.

With a loud thud and accompanying gasps, Ying Feng staggered back. Seizing this opportunity, Ling Xiao pursued without mercy.

Ying Feng’s vision blurred. To him, Ling Xiao was but a series of high-speed afterimages. He felt sharp pain in various parts of his body, powerless against Ling Xiao’s relentless assault.

The audience sensed something was amiss. At first, they thought Ling Xiao’s punch had injured Ying Feng. But as time passed, Ying Feng couldn’t even defend himself, let alone counterattack.

Realizing the gravity of the situation, the spectators feared for Ying Feng’s safety. Among them, Zhu Yue was the most concerned.

“Stop it!”

A scream echoed through the training room, snapping the frenzied Ling Xiao back to reality. He realized too late that Ying Feng wasn’t fighting back. But by then, he was already rushing towards Ying Feng, ready to land a final blow. With his current momentum and strength, the defenseless Ying Feng would be severely injured!

In a flash, a dark figure darted between them, taking the full brunt of Ling Xiao’s punch. Despite Ling Xiao trying to pull back, the blow was still immensely powerful, making the intervenor’s face turn pale instantly.

Regaining his balance, Ling Xiao called out anxiously, “Ping Zong!”

Almost simultaneously with his shout, Lan Sheng rushed over from the side of the field, shouting Ping Zong’s name. He anxiously grabbed Ping Zong’s arm. “Are you alright?!”

Even though Ping Zong had summoned all his defensive power to block the punch from Ling Xiao, he still felt numbness in both arms. If that punch had hit Ying Feng, the consequences would have been unthinkable.

Facing the worried look of Lan Sheng and filled with regret, Ping Zong slowly steadied his breath. He moved his arm, feeling grateful that he was not seriously injured.

“I’m fine.” He gestured with his chin towards the person behind him. “See how he’s doing.”

Ying Feng, out of sheer pride, managed to stand without collapsing in front of everyone. Zhu Yue, who rushed over almost at the same time as Lan Sheng, circled him, asking questions in concern. Ying Feng felt a buzzing in his ears, making him even more irritated.

He stood silently for a while, and slowly sensation returned to his body. When he could control his limbs again, he slowly opened his eyes, giving Ling Xiao a cold look. This gaze made Ling Xiao stiff, leaving him speechless.

In front of everyone, Ying Feng walked out, step by step. Despite trying to maintain a steady pace, his steps seemed a bit unsteady. Zhu Yue wanted to support him but was clearly rejected. Like everyone else, he could only watch Ying Feng walk out of the training room alone.

Ling Xiao stared blankly at the retreating figure of Ying Feng for a long time. When he came to his senses, he noticed a hostile gaze directed at him. At this moment, Zhu Yue’s resentment was undisguised, and even the previous life-saving grace couldn’t offset this growing hatred.

Ling Xiao didn’t realize that from this moment on, he had planted the seed of resentment in Zhu Yue’s heart. Feeling guilty, he turned his face away. Lan Sheng was still showing concern for Ping Zong, making Ling Xiao feel more isolated—some hated him, some ignored him, and some had their own priorities. The thought ignited a flame of nameless rage inside him, coupled with an overwhelming feeling of loneliness.

Another person burning with inner fire was currently lying on a check-up table in Dr. Yao’s medical room. A printer nearby diligently carried out its task.

Dr. Yao took the printed report, quickly scanning it. “Congratulations, you’ve entered the pre-awakening stage. Your awakening will soon occur, and your body is ready for secondary development. All indicators are excellent.”

“So excellent that I won’t fight back when hit?” Ying Feng remarked sarcastically.

“Your reaction just now is a normal manifestation of pre-awakening, commonly known as pseudo-awakening. About ten days after this pre-awakening, you will enter the actual awakening phase. The real awakening will not have the numbness in the limbs, so you don’t have to worry.”

She pulled up Ying Feng’s file. “Have you chosen your partner?”

“No,” Ying Feng answered quickly.

Dr. Yao nodded. “It’s okay if you haven’t. I can give you a calming injection once a month, so the awakening won’t cause you any trouble until you find a suitable partner.”

“Is it harmful to the body?”

“Not at all. Of course, you can also choose not to take the injection. After awakening, you’ll only have a normal physiological reaction. All individuals in this state have enough reason to deal with these reactions. Just avoid intense physical confrontations, like earlier, or else it can cause hormonal imbalances. Oh, and without the calming injection, you’re not allowed to participate in field practice.”

“I’ll take it,” Ying Feng responded, eager for the opportunity for field practice.

Dr. Yao quickly prepared the injection. Watching her insert the needle into his skin and the transparent liquid flow into his veins, Ying Feng felt his body cooling down, the previous heat vanishing in an instant.

“Remember, even though this calming medicine can suppress your physical reactions, you still need to be careful not to get too close to someone in the awakening phase. Otherwise, the hormone secretion in their body might affect you and negate the drug’s effect.”

“How long can I take this medicine?”

“As long as you’re willing, you can continue indefinitely. Although we hope that you will become adults soon, we will never force any student to undergo the coming-of-age ceremony without being prepared. The oldest student in the academy has been in his immature form for twenty-two years now and hasn’t found a suitable partner, but we still respect his choice.”

“What if I can never find a match?”

“Bikong is a primary academy, with the highest grade being twelve. After this age, you can choose to stay in school, continue your studies in your immature form, or even work. Such cases have been common in previous years.”

“However, only at Bikong will you enjoy the safest protection. If you choose to study or work in your immature form, many dangerous professions will be limited. I think you know why.”

“I understand,” Ying Feng replied succinctly.

“There’s something you might not be aware of. Seeking a spouse during the awakening period is also one of our instincts. Although tranquilizers can certainly suppress your physical reactions, they won’t alleviate your psychological needs.”

“What do you mean?”

“Don’t you feel lonely entering the pre-awakening period, yearning to share life with someone else?”

Ying Feng silently pondered for a moment. “No.”

“Alright.” Yao Tai gave up. “Some people are emotionally late bloomers. But slowly, you will, and the urge will become more and more pressing, forcing you to actively seek your other half.”

Ying Feng sat up. The slight twitch of his lips due to pain didn’t escape Yao Tai’s eyes.

“Do you need me to treat any other injuries?”

Ying Feng placed his hand on his chest, feeling a bit of tenderness. Judging from his experience, there was probably a bruise. Recalling the force of Ling Xiao’s strike, he frowned at the painful memory.

“No need.” Ying Feng declined Yao Tai’s offer and left the infirmary.

When he returned to his dormitory, there was an unexpected guest. Although Ling Xiao was in the same grade as Ying Feng, their dormitories were far apart. Ying Feng didn’t think it was a mere coincidence.

Seeing Ying Feng return safe and sound, Ling Xiao’s worry faded, replaced by relief. Sadly, these deep-seated emotions went unnoticed. As Yao Tai said, some people were emotionally late bloomers, and unfortunately, Ling Xiao was one of them.

The corner of Ying Feng’s mouth twitched upon seeing him. “What are you here for? I don’t have banana-flavored energy bread for you.”

Ling Xiao hesitated. “Are you alright?”

“Thanks to you, I’m not dead.”

Ying Feng tried to open the door, but Ling Xiao blocked him.

“What do you want?” Ying Feng asked impatiently.

“Hit me. I won’t fight back.”

“Why?”

“I don’t want to take advantage of you.”

Seeing Ling Xiao resign himself to death, Ying Feng found it quite amusing and laughed out loud.

Ling Xiao’s face darkened. “Are you looking down on me?”

“Shouldn’t a normal person apologize in this situation?”

Ling Xiao was at a loss for words, as if apologizing was the most embarrassing thing in the world.

“Just hit me.”

Ying Feng scoffed. “I need to get into my dorm. Please move.”

Ling Xiao stubbornly stood his ground.

This time, Ying Feng’s anger flared. He grabbed Ling Xiao by the collar and pulled him close. Even though Ying Feng was shorter, he completely dominated in aura. They were so close that their noses nearly touched. Ying Feng’s words landed heavily on Ling Xiao’s face.

“Rest assured, one day, I will settle this score with you.”

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